Sunica Design logo

Skin Tone Chart: What is My Skin Tone? How to Dress for It?

Welcome, fashionistas, to our comprehensive guide on the ever-so-important skin tone chart and how it can elevate your wardrobe game! If you’ve ever felt like certain colors don’t look as fabulous on you as on your friends, you’ve come to the right place. We’re here to help you decode the mysteries of your skin tone, so you can unleash your full fashion potential and turn heads everywhere you go.

Our guide will walk you through the ins and outs of the skin tone chart, helping you identify your unique tone and undertone. We’ll also dive into the best colors, patterns, and textures that’ll have you looking and feeling like the A-lister you were born to be.

Ready to level up your style game? Let’s get started!

Different skin tones

Understanding and Determining Your Skin Tone

The Fitzpatrick Scale

Developed by the Harvard dermatologist Thomas Fitzpatrick in 1975, this scale classifies skin types based on their response to sun exposure. It’s a handy tool that helps you determine your skin’s susceptibility to sunburn and tanning.

The Fitzpatrick Scale identifies six distinct skin types, each with its own characteristics:

Skin TypeFitzpatrick ScaleCharacteristics
Type IVery Fair SkinBurns easily, hardly tans; often with red or blonde hair and blue, green, or gray eyes
Type IIFair SkinProne to sunburns, can achieve a light tan; often with blonde or light brown hair and blue, green, or hazel eyes
Type IIIModerate SkinBurns occasionally, tans gradually; often with brown hair and green, hazel, or light brown eyes
Type IVOlive or Light Brown SkinRarely burns, tans easily; often with dark brown hair and brown or hazel eyes
Type VBrown SkinRarely burns, tans deeply; often with dark brown or black hair and brown eyes
Type VIDark Brown or Black SkinAlmost never burns, tans very easily; often with black hair and dark brown eyes

Undertones

Now that you’re familiar with the Fitzpatrick Scale, let’s talk about undertones. These subtle hues lie beneath the surface of your skin. They have three primary categories: cool, warm, and neutral. Cool undertones have a pink, red, or blueish tint, while warm undertones are golden, yellow, or peachy. Neutral undertones, as the name suggests, are a balanced mix of cool and warm hues.

Then how to determine your undertone? Well, we’ve got a few tried-and-true tricks:

Vein test cool vs warm skin tone
Vein test: cool vs warm skin tone
The Vein Test

Check the color of the veins on your wrist.

Blue or purple veins
Cool undertone
Greenish veins
Warm undertone
Hard to tell or Have them both
Neutral undertone
The Jewelry Test

Observe which metal flatters you most.

Gold looks better
Warm undertone
Silver looks better
Cool undertone
Both look equally good
Neutral undertone
The Sun Test

Assess your skin’s reaction to sun exposure.

Burns easily, rarely tans
Cool undertone
Tans easily, rarely burns
Warm undertone
Somewhere in between
Neutral undertone

Navigating the Skin Tone Chart

With the knowledge of the Fitzpatrick Scale and your undertone in hand, it’s time to tackle the skin tone chart! This marvelous map will guide you through the vast ocean of colors, leading you to a wardrobe island filled with flattering hues that’ll make you shine.

Skin tone chart
Skin tone chart of warm, cool, and neutral skin tones

Besides, to make things easier, we’ve categorized skin tones based on the Fitzpatrick Scale and paired them with their most common undertones. Remember, though, that this is a general guide, and individual variations may occur.

Fitzpatrick TypeSkin Tone
Type ICool
Type IICool / Neutral
Type IIICool / Neutral / Warm
Type IVWarm / Neutral
Type VWarm / Neutral
Type VIWarm

Dressing for Your Skin Tone Like a Pro

Strutting through the fashion world can feel like navigating a maze of colors, patterns, and textures. But fear not, fabulous friends! Armed with your skin tone chart, you’ll be a color-coordinating champ in no time.

Cool Skin Tones

Dressing example for cool skin tone

If you’re a cool cat with a penchant for icy hues, embrace your chill vibes with colors that’ll make your skin tone pop. Think shades of blue, green, and purple, as well as deep, jewel-toned reds and pinks. And don’t forget about silver jewelry, which will be your shining armor in the fashion world.

Warm Skin Tones

Dressing example for warm skin tone

Warm-toned wonders, this is your time to bask in the sun-kissed glow of your complexion. Opt for earthy hues like browns, yellows, oranges, and reds, or spice it up with rich greens and teals. Gold jewelry will be your go-to accessory, giving you that Midas touch.

Neutral Skin Tones

Dressing example for neutral skin tone

Neutral undertones, you lucky ducks, have the fashion world as your oyster. You can rock a vast array of colors, from cool to warm, without breaking a sweat. Just remember, balance is key — pair warm colors with cool ones, and mix in neutrals like grays, tans, and off-whites to create harmony in your wardrobe.

Acing Your Makeup & Hairstyle Gam with Skin Tone Chart

With our trusty skin tone chart, you’ll become a makeup maestro soon! Remember, the goal is to enhance your natural beauty, not hide it. So, just try to shine your skin tone with our tips and full confidence.

Cool Skin Tones

Example for cool skin tone
Blush
Reach for blue-based pinks, purples, and reds to keep your cheeks rosy and radiant.
Eyeshadows and Liners
Elevate your eye game with icy blues, greens, purples, and rich, jewel-toned shades.
Lipstick
Opt for blue-based pinks, reds, and purples to create a stunning contrast with your complexion.
Hair Color
Cool skin tones can enhance their look with hair colors like platinum, ash blonde, cool brown, deep espresso, blue-black, and burgundy.

Warm Skin Tones

Example for warm skin tone
Blush
Opt for warm blushes like peach, coral, and earthy hues to give your cheeks a radiant glow.
Eyeshadows and Liners
Enhance your eyes with earthy browns, oranges, reds, golds, and bronzes.
Lipstick
Embrace lip colors in warm reds, oranges, and corals to perfect your pout.
Hair Color
Warm-toned folks will shine with hair colors like golden blonde, caramel, honey, copper, warm chocolate, and auburn.

Neutral Skin Tones

Example for neutral skin tone
Blush
Experiment with a variety of shades, from cool to warm, to find the perfect balance for your cheeks.
Eyeshadows and Liners
Play with both warm and cool shades to create eye-catching looks that complement your skin tone.
Lipstick
You can explore a wide range of lip colors. Just try any color you like, keeping in mind the balance that works best for your complexion.
Hair Color
Neutral undertones are free to experiment with various hair colors. Some flattering options include beige blonde, neutral brown, soft auburn, and rich chocolate.

Fetching Inspiration from Celebrities

Lupita Nyong'o: The Cool Undertone Queen

Lupita Nyong'o, Hollywood’s dazzling star, has been captivating audiences with her impeccable style for years. She knows the power of cool undertone colors and works them like a pro.

Lupita often rocks jewel-toned gowns, like cobalt blue and rich emerald, that make her deep complexion and expressive eyes stand out. Her makeup game is equally on point, with cool pink blushes and blue-based red lipsticks that enhance her cool undertone. In the hair department, Lupita keeps it chic with her signature shortcut, sometimes opting for deep, cool-toned hues.

If you’re a cool undertone fan, take notes from Lupita’s sophisticated playbook.

Beyoncé: The Warm Undertone Goddess

International music sensation, Beyoncé, serves as a stunning example of warm undertone elegance. Known for selecting earthy hues such as honey, golden brown, and rich caramel, Beyoncé masterfully complements her glowing complexion and captivating eyes.

Beyoncé’s makeup often enhances her natural radiance with warm blushes and golden highlighters. Her lipstick choices typically fall within the warm spectrum, showcasing shades like vibrant coral and rich rose. In terms of hair color, Beyoncé’s signature honey-blonde locks further highlight her warm undertone, projecting a sense of sophistication.

If you’re seeking inspiration for a warm undertone aesthetic, Beyoncé’s timeless style is the ideal benchmark.

Gigi Hadid: The Neutral Undertone Princess

Supermodel Gigi Hadid effortlessly showcases her neutral undertone with a versatile and balanced approach to fashion. She knows how to mix and match cool and warm shades, creating stunning looks that never fail to impress.

Gigi’s wardrobe includes a mix of cool-toned blues, greens, lavenders, and warm shades like peach, camel, and olive. In the makeup department, Gigi plays from cool-toned eyeshadows to warm bronzer and blush. Her lip colors range from pinky nudes to berry hues, giving her a fresh and modern look. Gigi’s hair color has varied from sandy blonde to warm brown, always maintaining a neutral balance.

For those with neutral undertones, Gigi’s style is a lesson in versatility and harmony.

Conclusion

And there you have it, folks! A comprehensive guide to navigating the world of skin tone charts and making them work for you. With a little know-how, determination, and maybe a touch of celebrity inspiration, you’ll be rocking your own personal style like never before. Remember, understanding your skin’s undertone is the key to unlocking a world of fashion potential, from the perfect outfit to the best hair color for our skin tone chart.

So, next time you’re feeling lost in the world of colors, don’t stress! Just take a deep breath, whip out that skin tone chart, and get ready to unleash your inner fashionista. After all, the world is your runway, and you’ve got the secret sauce to make every outfit a showstopper. Go ahead and happy styling!

If you want to learn deeper about skin tones, welcome to our “Ultimate Guide to Dressing and Makeup for Caramel Skin Tone”!